POETRY: 17) Why I Love The Prophet Muhammad

16) Why I love the Prophet Muhammad
(SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam)

If you ask me, why do I love him, the
Prophet Muhammad (May Peace be upon him) -
I love him because he cared about us
Muslims, and loving him is a condition –

If you love Allah, then love the Prophet
Muhammad – Allah loved him very much.
He was Allah's Final Messenger, and
The hearts of many did his mercy touch.

His beautiful character makes me admire
Him – his trustworthiness and honesty –
Even before he became God's Prophet,
Disbelievers knew that he was trustworthy.

I love the Prophet Muhammad because
Of good manners he was the best example.
I love how he was patient throughout his life
And how his morals were never skeptical.

He cared about his nation too, thus he taught
Us what we should know about our religion.
When given the chance he'd always educate,
Blessing us with advice through his companions.

As a father and grandfather, the Prophet
Muhammad was kind and tender loving.
His mercy to the poor, widows and orphans –
His good treatment of them is too astounding.

His tolerance, even to non-Muslim
Neighbors, is also something to be admired.
His mercy too was further manifest
Through his kind treatment of the slaves he hired.

As a leader – he was charismatic,
As a warrior – marked with strength and bravery,
As a family man – full of mercy,
And a husband who treated his wives fairly –

As a friend – he was accommodating –
Full of cheer, he brought smiles to people's faces –
Respectful to the old, and kind towards the young –
Mercy was the Prophet Muhammad's basis.

I love how he was merciful – and because
Of his mercy, he always tried to guide.
I love how he struggled to obey Allah,
And how he remained patient all through his life.

I love how he was able to do so much –
So many good deeds, despite his simple life –
How he could survive on mere dates and water,
And yet stand for long hours when praying at night.

I love how he was so thankful to Allah –
How he was always ready to sacrifice.
I love how his character was dignified –
How he was strong and gentle at the same time.

I love the patience of Prophet Muhammad –
In worshipping Allah, in fasting, and praying –
His patience in helping Muslims, and in hard times,
And how he was merciful and forgiving.

Because of my love for Prophet Muhammad,
I try to follow him – and say "you should too" –
If you truly love Allah, then love Muhammad –
Let your following him make your love more true.

O' Allah, help us obey you, and help us
Follow Muhammad – in this world and to Heaven –
Grant us his companionship in Paradise,
And freedom to drink from his blessed fountain.
Ameen.

Miriam / Mariam Mababaya

POETRY: 16) Tears Of Thanks To My Mother

 So Many Tears From Thanking You

( written in 2006)

Before this year shall bid farewell,
I'd like to thank you - one more time -
To let you know I love you so,
O' dearest Mother mine;
Your love, o' Mother dear, is worth
A swim across the river Nile,
And a climb to Mount Everest -
Before your very eyes.

My hugging you - can't be compared
With what you did when I was young;
You nourished me, and nurtured me,
And taught with your Wisdom -
Your scolding me, and warnings, were
But signs of Love which I've learnt from;
O' Mother dear, I thank you so -
For all that you have done.

I thank you for the days and nights -
You've spent with me when I was weak,
For the shelter you've blest me with,
Which many hearts still seek.
And thank you - for all the loving
Words you said when my hours were bleak,
And for your efforts in ridding
Me - of my woes and Grief.

O' Mother dear, I thank you too
For being a great friend of mine;
For helping me guide my once lost
Soul - towards God Divine.
Your love, o' Mother dear, is worth
Diving more than a thousand times -
In my sea of tears, from thanking
You, o' dearest Mother mine.

Miriam / Mariam Mababaya [Copyright 2006]

POETRY: 15) Dances Of The Rain/Thunder

15) Dances of the Rain
( written when I was in my teens )

Listen to the roars of thunder
As a grand lightning strikes the ground –
To the rattles of the raindrops,
Adding splendor to Earth's background.

Thunderclouds slowly congregate
While more droplets of rain would fall.
The skies have painted themselves black,
More fogs assemble to enthrall,

The stars shroud themselves in darkness,
And the sky's moon begins to hide,
Some run for shelter, others stay
To watch the rainfall dance with pride.

They spread themselves across the seas,
On top of mountains and on hills,
Drenching rainforests and deserts
As they dance to the thunder's shrills.

Trees and their branches dance along,
Fervently swaying to and fro.
The storm embellishes the rhythm,
Making the beat both fast and slow.

But when the sun will have to shine,
The showers must no longer drop.
Let them fall once more tomorrow,
And for today their dance should stop.

Miriam / Mariam Mababaya

POETRY: 14) The True Friend (Allah)

 

14) The True Friend

 

What are the qualities that a friend should
have – that which would make a true friend so true?
A friend is one whom you like to be with
while a true friend insists on being with you.

A friend likes you when you have so much in
common. True friends like you who for who you are.
True friends make you feel as though they are at
all times near, although they are very far.

A true friend is one whom you can always
talk to, even at night when it is late -
when loved ones are asleep, a true friend is
always there to hear what you have to say.

Friends like to share, but a true friend always
gives you – not what you want, but what you need.
The feelings you hide, as well as your thoughts,
and your dreams,  a true friend can always read.

A friend may forgive you or they may not
forgive, for something wrong you’ve done to them.
A true friend forgives even when you don’t
ask. True friends forgive - again and again.

Friends are close when you are close to them. A
true friend wants your friendship to be closer.
A true friend does what is best for you, and
hates that you would end up with the losers.

A true friend teaches you lessons to help
you grow – lessons that are hard and easy.
A true friend is always there - having a
true friend can never make you feel lonely.

Friends may sometimes make mistakes, but a true
friend is always careful not to hurt you.
A true friend is a guide and a teacher.
A true friend knows everything you go through.

The true friend I mention is our God,
who kept you company before you were born.
The friendship of God, if you truly keep
and cherish, you will never feel forlorn.

The true friend we all need is God (Allah) –
the One who guides and can teach us lessons,
the One who hears our calls and understands,
the One always near – in every season –

Allah, as a Friend, never judges us
by the way we look and how we appear.
Allah, as a Guide, if we ask Him for
guidance, He guides us and makes our paths clear.

Allah is with us – each day and each night –
He is always there when all are asleep.
Allah always listens when others don’t.
He gives you comfort when He sees you weep.

Fortunate are those who have Allah as
a Friend. Friendship with God is friendship true.
May Allah bless me with His Friendship and
May Allah’s Friendship be shared with you too.

Ameen.

Miriam / Mariam Mababaya

POETRY: 13) The Heavenly Dream

THE HEAVENLY DREAM
(a poem written when I was in my teens)

From a king-sized bed he would arise
As he listens to the sparrows sing.
Beside him is where his breakfast lies;
Baked beans, sausages, oatmeal and fries.
He'll finish his meal then go swimming.

"How cool and refreshing," he would say
As he takes a long sip from his cold drink of lime.
Then he swims as he does everyday.
His life is one full of fun and play,
Lives in a mansion and feels divine.

"Is there anything I can do, sir?"
Says a beautiful maid standing by,
Dressed in a uniform made of fur.
"Bring me my suit." The maid would then purr.
He puts it on and begins to fly

Amidst the clouds and over the Earth,
Flying through walls, swaying to and fro,
"Heavens, I can fly!" he says with mirth,
Soaring with the pigeons – back and forth
Until he runs into a scarecrow.

He looks around and what does he see?
He finds himself lying on a bench –
The poor old man, the abandonee
Who sleeps in the park, beneath a tree.
Little does he know he had been drenched.

"Hello – good morning, these are for you,"
Says a mother, carrying her child;
Four cheese sandwiches and French fries too,
"I'm sorry, sir, for what you go through."
"Thank you," said the homeless man and smiled.

Feeding some doves with crumbs of his bread,
He takes his breakfast while he would beam,
"A very nice lady, she did seem,"
Tears were slowly falling as he said,
"Thank you, God, for the heavenly dream.

Miriam / Mariam Mababaya

POETRY: 12) Will You Travel With Me To Heaven?

Poem: Will You Travel With Me To Heaven?

When you wake up in the morning
From a dream you think is okay
You see your spouse and family
Get ready for another day


The dream you saw, the things you see
The bed on which you soundly sleep
Your kids all grown up, your husband
And old memories that you keep


Who do you think created them?
Were they created from nothing?
If there is no god who made these
All, then what's the point of living?


D'you think we were made from nothing
Then from nothing we live for fun
To eat and drink, to love and hate
Then when we die, what comes is none?

The eyes with which your body sees
Those sockets that keep your eyeballs
The mouth you use for food and speech
The way you answer random calls


The languages you use to speak
And another –your mother tongue-
The way you carry yourself, and
How you breathe through your heart and lungs


The muscles that stretch when you smile
Your friends who often make you laugh
The words you try to understand
And how you sign your name so fast


Your kids who once stayed in your womb
The months you carried them in you
Your feelings when you saw their first
Walk and when they smile back at you


The food you eat and cook each day
The rainfalls that fall from above
The earth you walk on each night and
Day, and the things you've learned to love


The blood that flows 'neath your skin each
Hour, the foods you eat, sweet and sour
The clouds you see above your head
The scent of various plants and flowers


The many colors of people
You see, and many sounds you hear
All things in this universe make
You think that a God must be near


A God who is not in this world
But because of Lordship –Above-
Above the skies and on His Throne
Above anything you can think of


A God who is the Most Powerful
A God who does not eat or sleep
A God who is Above all things
A God who does not sweep the streets


A God who sees us all the time
A God who knows our hidden thoughts
A God who hears us all the time
A God who gives us lots and lots


A God who made this universe
A God who is the King of all
A God who knows the good and bad
A God who causes rain to fall


A God who made all kinds of colors
A God who rotates day and night
A God who knows all languages
A God who gave the moon its light


A God who knows the past and present
A God who sees the future of all
A God who gave all kinds of sounds
A God who gave all forms –short and tall


A God who is not a human
Not a soul or created thing
A God who always hears and sees
Yet we cannot hear or see Him


A God who tests us, hence we cannot
See Him, a God who never lies
A God without human weakness
-Not Born- A God who does not die


A God who made us with a purpose
To worship Him, worship Him alone
A God who wants us to be Muslims
And Heaven our Eternal Home


By worshiping only One God
And following God's Rules and Laws
Allah is He. God is Allah.
Allah: The God who has no flaws


Allah is not the God of Arabs
Not all Arabs believe in Him
Allah is the God of all of us
Who made everyone and everything


If you ask 'why the name Allah? '
I ask you, why's your name your name?
Imagine your teacher says 'I'm Jane'
If you disbelieve you could be 'lame'

She says, 'Class, I'm Jane; I'm your teacher'
You say, 'I don't want a teacher 'Jane''
Your teacher says, 'my name is Jane'
You say, 'Don't teach, unless your name is changed'


If one has done that, they have rebelled
They're arrogant; they want attention
If you're a troublesome student
Then all you get is detention


So if Allah says that He is God,
That Allah is God, and God Allah
Then believe in God, worship Allah
To avoid Hell and its boiling lava


Allah is One, the Only True God
Allah created you and I
Allah has no children nor wife
Allah needs no bodyguard nor spy


Allah is One, God is Just One
I said 'One God', not 'God in Three'
One God who rules the whole universe
'More than many gods'? How can that be?


If there were many gods as some claim
The whole world would be upside down
False gods would vie with one another
As kings would fight for the same crown


God has no son. God has no daughter.
God has no wife, God did not marry
God is too Powerful and Perfect
God does not weaken nor get lonely


God is Allah, Allah the True God
If you now believe, please testify
That there is no god but Allah
And God was never crucified


Once you have recognized Allah
Remember that Allah has Rules
Rules that must be followed by all
All of God's servants, including you


God commanded us to pray to Him
To Pray to Him each day and each night
To worship Him our Creator Allah
Is the reason why God gave us life


Imagine a king who has many
Servants staying at his palace
It would make no sense at all if those
Servants do not fulfill their purpose


Those servants were ordered to work
And to respect that king at all times
While the king gives them a place to stay
They should always make his palace shine


Any slave who does not work may
Eventually be kicked out soon
Any slave who works improperly
May likewise end up without a room


That king has a right to command
His slaves to sing lovely songs of him
To choose the number of times to wash
A staircase, because he is 'king'


That king has a right to command his
Slaves to do well to his family
To treat his close friends with respect
And welcome his guests cheerfully


To tell them not to touch this and that
To disallow them from certain rooms
To do what he commands them to do
As he is the owner who rules


So when Allah gives a command
A command that must be obeyed
You must obey Allah's Commandments
Or else you might get yourself astray


So if Allah commands you to pray
To Him, five prayers everyday
Don't ask 'why? ' Don't ask 'why five salahs? '
Just listen to God, and obey


God lets you walk on the earth He made
God gives you fresh air for you to breathe
God keeps the clouds above you floating
And gives you drink and food to eat


God gave you a brain with which to think
And still you ask 'why should you pray? '
We pray to Allah, the Mighty King
Who lets us live each night and day


When you're awake, when you're asleep
The air you breathe each night and day
What you inhale and what you exhale
Are some things from God which you don't pay


The ability to taste is a
Gift from God which many just ignore
Imagine if you could not taste the
Food you eat, eating would be a bore


You eat fruits and vegetables that God
Created, from plants that Allah made
You drink water which belongs to God
And yet you ask 'why must we pray? '


We pray to Allah, not because He
Needs us, but because we need Him so
God is the One who keeps us alive
God is the One who helps us grow


How dare you walk on earth as though
You own it, when earth is owned by Him
Allah who owns the whole universe
Who owns everyone and everything


How dare you speak when God gave you speech
How dare you sleep when God made the night
How dare you eat and drink what God
Bestowed, and you ask 'does God have rights? '


Yes, God's Right is that He be worshiped
Worshiped Alone with no other
And that His commands be followed
While we know Him as God and Ruler


Allah: The Ruler of those on earth
The Ruler of those that live beneath
The Ruler of humans, animals,
And jinns, and those that live in the seas


Allah: The God and Owner of
Everything and everyone He made
Even the oxygen we breathe
And the night and day are Allah's slaves


So please do not ask 'why must we pray? '
We pray because we are Allah's slaves
Slaves of God who created us all
And gave us a place –this earth- to stay


Because God is God, and the True King
God has every right to command
He can choose the number of prayers
And how we should worship with our hands,


What we should say in our salaahs,
Which prayers should be said aloud
How we should mention Allah's Names and
How (when we pray) we must look down


God has a right to order us to
Abstain from the food and drink He gave
He has a right to make Ramadan
A month of fasting during the day


God has a right to prevent us
From committing sins and evil deeds
From food and drink that He forbade
To test us if we truly believe


God tests us not because He knows not
But because He wants to be sure
To ensure that those who are with Him
In Heaven are the good and very pure


If you ask 'Who was before Allah? '
I ask, 'what was before number one? '
If you say 'zero' or 'nothing'
Then what is before Allah is 'none'


Allah is the First, the Only One,
The One True God whom we should pray to
The Only One who knows everyone
Who knows what all His slaves will go through


Allah is God who will question us
On the Day of Resurrection
Allah is the One to question us
It is not right that God is questioned


So do not question 'why should we pray? '
'Why should we pray five times a day? '
God is the King who must command
While we were born to be God's slaves


There is no job on earth that is more
Noble than being Allah's servant
There is no home more spacious than earth
But the homes in eternal heaven


Embrace Islam for it means Peace
Peaceful submission to your Creator
Accept the key from God Allah
Or you may regret it later


Islam is the religion of all
Prophets, the faith of Jesus too
As He peacefully believed in God
And did what he was ordered to do


He called his people to Islam
And here I am inviting you
Islam to Heaven? Or lies to Hell?
As God's slave, it is your job to choose.

Miriam / Mariam Mababaya

POETRY: 10) SubhanAllah 11) Dear God (Allah) Please Forgive

10) Glory Be to Just One God

SubhanAllah – Glory be to Allah –
Glory be to Allah who created –
The lands, the mountains, and flowing rivers,
The skies and planets He decorated.

Glory be to Allah who made the moon,
Shine at night and change to many phases.
SubhanAllah – God’s signs are in us too –
Humans with various heights, looks and voices.

SubhanAllah – see how God made us all,
And all the things that surround us on earth –
From tiny atoms to high waterfalls,
And feelings of creatures like fear and mirth.

Glory be to Allah who owns all Glory –
SubhanAllah – how God made you and me.

Miriam / Mariam Mababaya


11) Dear God, Please Forgive

AstaghfurAllah – O’ Allah, forgive –
Forgive all my mistakes – the big and small –
AstaghfurAllah – as long as I live –
Please forgive me too when I leave this world –

The sins I did when I did intend them,
The sins I did which I thought were okay,
The sins that I did again and again –
AstaghfurAllah for all those mistakes.

O’ Allah, I am human – imperfect –
Prone to committing mistakes everyday.
The sins I did wrongly I do regret –
For Your forgiveness, O’ Allah, I pray.

“AstaghfurAllah” every day and night
For the wrongs I did when I wasn’t right.

Miriam / Mariam Mababaya

POETRY: 9) What Makes A True Friend?

9) What Makes A True Friend?

What Makes A True Friend?

What are the qualities that a friend should
have – that which would make a true friend so true?
A friend is one whom you like to be with
while a true friend insists on being with you.

A friend likes you when you have so much in
common. True friends like you who for who you are.
True friends make you feel as though they are at
all times near, although they are very far.

A true friend is one whom you can always
talk to, even at night when it is late -
when loved ones are asleep, a true friend is
always there to hear what you have to say.

Friends like to share, but a true friend always
gives you – not what you want, but what you need.
The feelings you hide, as well as your thoughts,
and your dreams, a true friend can always read.

A friend may forgive you or they may not
forgive, for something wrong you've done to them.
A true friend forgives even when you don't
ask. True friends forgive - again and again.

Friends are close when you are close to them. A
true friend wants your friendship to be closer.
A true friend does what is best for you, and
hates that you would end up with the losers.

A true friend teaches you lessons to help
you grow – lessons that are hard and easy.
A true friend is always there - having a
true friend can never make you feel lonely.

Friends may sometimes make mistakes, but a true
friend is always careful not to hurt you.
A true friend is a guide and a teacher.
A true friend knows everything you go through.

The true friend I mention is our God,
who kept you company before you were born.
The friendship of God, if you truly keep
and cherish, you will never feel forlorn.

The true friend we all need is God (Allah) –
the One who guides and can teach us lessons,
the One who hears our calls and understands,
the One always near – in every season –

Allah, as a Friend, never judges us
by the way we look and how we appear.
Allah, as a Guide, if we ask Him for
guidance, He guides us and makes our paths clear.

Allah is with us – each day and each night –
He is always there when all are asleep.
Allah always listens when others don't.
He gives you comfort when He sees you weep.

Fortunate are those who have Allah as
a Friend. Friendship with God is friendship true.
May Allah bless me with His Friendship and
May Allah's Friendship be shared with you too.

Ameen. Allah knows best.

Miriam / Mariam Mababaya

Note: A liar makes every liar (loser) their closest friends; A smart Muslim makes sure that they do not befriend a liar and someone who could get them both into trouble.

POETRY: 7) Before U Judge 8) Temporal V.S. Eternal

7) Before You Judge Them

‘Tis foolish how some spend their days and nights,
Keeping an eye on what concerns them not –
These humans who call themselves so-called ‘spies’,
Who falsely think they know each human’s thoughts.

To them I say, “why spend your hours judging
The actions of people which you don’t know?
Why leave your loved ones and live life spying,
When all humans’ deeds will one day be shown?

Why search for the faults of those you spy on –
When you, like them, are humans with mistakes?
Know that God will someday judge every one
- When secrets may unfold – on Judgment Day.”

Before you study a human like you,
Know that God can see all that you both do.

Miriam / Mariam Mababaya

8) Temporal Life v.s. Eternal Life

Look at them enjoy life each day and night,
Riding fancy cars, living in mansions,
Looking down on each other with much pride,
And living life as though there’s no reason –

They think this world means ‘to live forever’ –
‘Life is its beginning and death its end’.
Know that, indeed, there is a Hereafter,
Where we will be asked about what we sent

Of good deeds and intentions to please God –
Allah who will ask us on that Great Day –
About what we did, with the things we had,
And everything we used to do and say.

Life is a pathway to Heaven or Hell;
What follows this path is Life Eternal.

Miriam / Mariam Mababaya

POETRY: 5) Advice In A Sonnet 6) Let Them Lie & They Shall See

5) Some Advice in This Sonnet

A few words of advice in this sonnet:
Don’t hurt, if you too don’t like to be hurt.
When bad deeds return, you might regret it.
So watch your deeds, and take care of your words.

Always know that from above you’re being watched.
On your right and left are angels writing –
Collect whatever good deeds you may lack,
To please God and meet Him while He’s smiling.

Avoid supplications prayed against you,
Especially those of righteous Muslims.
Beware of everything you see and do –
Know that on Judgment Day, you’ll be questioned.

Obey Allah’s Rules, and good you shall get.
If you displease Allah, yours is regret.

Miriam / Mariam Mababaya

6) Let Them Say, and They Shall See

Let them say what they wish behind our backs,
Let them lie, let them laugh, let them whisper.
What they say about us are naught but trash –
From minds where foolish thoughts always linger.

Let them speak. On Judgment Day they shall see
The results of their sins they committed –
Against themselves, and against you, and me –
Some of their good deeds may be rejected,

Or transferred to our account of good deeds –
Hence, for the oppressed that would be a gain,
Donated by those who are most in need
Of good actions to erase what they claimed.

So if some mention you – in a bad way –
Their vile speech may slap them on Judgment Day.

Miriam / Mariam Mababaya

POETRY: 3) To my loving Mom 4) To my loving Dad

3) To My Loving Mom, who Took Care of Me

To my loving mom, who took care of me,
Who brought me to earth with help from Allah:
Thank you for teaching me correct belief,
For educating me about Islam.

Thank you for the food you cooked everyday,
Thank you for feeding when I was younger,
For the busy nights when you stayed awake –
To care for me when in grief or hunger,

Thank you for the knowledge you shared with me –
About Islam, and life, and growing up –
For all that you made with your sewing machine,
For advising me on what I should stop.

Thank you, mother, for taking care of me;
May Allah bless you with Heaven’s entry.

Miriam / Mariam Mababaya

4) Some Words of Thanks to My Father who Cared

Some words of thanks to my father who cared,
Who also cared for me and my brothers:
Thank you for all those food you loved to share,
And for loving us, as did our mother.

Thank you for the money you used to pay
For our lunch at school, which you earned from work.
Thank you for driving me to school on those days,
And for helping me out with my homework.

Thank you, father, for proving that you cared,
For trying to fulfill our wants and needs –
When I was ill for trying to be there,
For the advice you wanted me to heed.

Thank you for loving, mother and father;
I pray that in Heaven we’ll meet each other.

Miriam / Mariam Mababaya

POETRY: 1) Apology 2) Contemplation

1) Apologizing

To every Muslim I know and don’t know,
Whom I have offended in any way:
I’m sorry if there’s anything I owe,
Or if I’ve ever hurt you by mistake,

I’m sorry for any problem I caused,
For any arguments – if we did have –
Please forgive my forgetfulness and flaws,
Forgive if at you I have ever laughed,

I’m sorry if what I did I meant it –
If I did not mean it, I’m sorry too –
I’m sorry I acted like a ‘dimwit’,
Sorry to those I know and never knew.

Forgive – likewise, Allah will forgive you.
Forgive me please. May Allah forgive you too.

Ameen.

Miriam / Mariam Mababaya

2) Contemplation / Thoughts

When you find yourself alone, sit and think.
Be calm, knowing that God is by your side.
Let your soul question, and your ego shrink.
Ask yourself questions – with answers that guide –

All that you did since you were born till now,
Were most of them good? Done to please Allah?
Can they save you on Judgment Day somehow?
Or do you still need to go very far?

What good deed can you do to please Allah?
Are the intentions of your deeds all clean?
How do you share your knowledge of Islam?
Is some of your ‘pride’ affecting your deen?

More questions like these should be asked each day –
For Allah’s guidance we must contemplate.

Miriam / Mariam Mababaya